Christmas Gifts for The Five Senses No 3 - Touch!

 

Christmas Gifts for The Five Senses No 3  - Touch!

Good Morning, I do hope that you have had a good week?  I am slightly nervous to report that the GD and I are blissfully happy in our new home - somehow it feels like tempting providence! The sun has been shining all week and I get to write to you in peace and tranquillity whilst gazing across the magnificent South Downs - it feels utterly magical! There is an email group for over 300 villagers that we have been invited to join and consequently have received many lovely messages of welcome and even a few cards have dropped through the door! People are smashing! We have, however, suffered the slings and arrows of living in a village with a name that is a little close to 'Ambridge,' and thus there have been 'Archers' jokes aplenty - one friend even going as far as to suggest that I may make a fine stand-in for Lynda Snell and wondering if I intend to get involved with the Christmas panto (you know who you are!). I rose above this, obviously!

We have also been styling our home, with a couple of new acquisitions including a very handsome French bookcase for 'The Snug'(pictured), and a little Georgian chest-of-drawers for me as I don't have any storage ( my underwear is currently residing in the kitchen dresser which simply will not do!). We visited Arundel (so beautiful) as they have a really great Farmer's Market, and I bought a book on how to make marmalade from the author and a couple of jars of her own recipes just in case I don't get around to making my own in the next few weeks! Also fell head-over-heels for a painting by Chilean modernist Luis Vargas Rosas!  We are going to have to be a little less extravagant now as Christmas is coming and we want to splurge on others! I did buy a pair of 'walking shoes' (my first!) from Blacks in Chichester as I intend to embrace this new life fully - mud included! It was my mother's 80th birthday this week - neither of us can quite believe it and have made a pact to stop ageing as enough is enough! She spent the day with her great-grandchildren / granddaughter, and we get to celebrate tomorrow at a lunch in Hove which will be lovely. On Wednesday, the GD and I had an appointment to register our intention to marry - this was a very happy but also slightly sad moment for me, for while I am very grateful for the love that I have found, I couldn't help but think of that which I have lost - so 'bittersweet' is probably the best word.  The big (Christmas) day is creeping (neigh(!) galloping) up - just 4 weeks to go! I have wanted to put up the wreath and tree all week but am worried that they will look a little wizened by the 25th, so had been sitting on my hands ! Next w/e, I think, will be perfect, although it will involve rummaging in the London attic for decorations and it is an assault course in there. This makes me ashamed to be Libran (can one be drummed-out of star-sign membership?) And so to this w/e's missive, dedicated to 'Gifts for The Sense Of Touch!' I have been looking forward to writing this so much as believe that 'touch' plays particularly strongly to the concept of gifting - it is about extravagance, of proffering something that is indulgent and out of the ordinary. So here is my selection of gifts that will fascinate the fingers, dazzle the dermis, caress the carapace and generally result in festive fondling!

Shop Now - Silk Velvet Cushions - £57.00

First-up has to be velvet, and we have a new selection of cushions that have just arrived from Stockholm. Ours are made from silk-velvet which are, in my opinion, lovelier that cotton velvet in this context because the light plays across the surface and therefore the colours dance rather than remain quite static. And what colours they are, from topaz and orange through mustard and green and the most gorgeous, rich, deep hues of purple and magenta. Theses cushions make one's sofa or armchair sing and are so tactile that it is very hard to put them down! They are robust too - just avoid spilling liquids on the silk. If you have never considered gifting a cushion/cushions before, I do recommend them, as they are glamorous yet practical, feel gorgeous And offer lumber support! Clever for a tricky friend or relative and we are happy to swap the colour if the match isn't perfect.

Shop Now - Printed Cotton Velvet - Robe - £134.50

Shop Now - Printed Cotton Velvet - Washbag - £26.50

Truly deserving of a drum roll are our printed velvet robes which have just arrived from Paris! What can I say, they are absolutely stunning, seductive and devilishly demure! The beautiful prints come in rich, opulent hues of red(heron), orange (fern) and emerald (fern). I cannot think of anything more joyful than opening something that can be used daily, yet is utterly luxurious - how decadent!. We also have a selection of velvet wash-bags in equally exquisite prints, and these could be gifted alone or filled with soaps and  other indulgent bathing accoutrements.

Shop Now - Double Silk Velvet Scarf - £74.00

Shop Now - Silk Devoré Scarf - Loquat - £37.00

Our 'double velvet' scarves are super-soft with a dual pile that makes them extra thick and cosy,  as well as extremely glam. Alternatively, a fine, silk devore will softly caress the throat and tuck neatly beneath the lapels of a coat or jacket. These also work well from day into evening and flatter the face.

Shop Now - Baby Alpaca Scarf - £59.00

Staying with scarves, one cannot beat 'baby alpaca' fabric for warmth. The fibres are hollow and trap air so are up to 5 times warmer than standard sheep's wool. The alpaca need to be warm as they live high in the mountains and also need to be shorn in the summer as it is very hot and the air is thin. We work with a responsible company that ensure that both the animals and the farmers are treated with respect. Our collection is glorious (the curry, denim blue and deep orange are particular favourites), however our stock is quite limited due to the pandemic so we will not be able to source any more until next year.

Shop Now - Wool Blanket/Throw - Lagoon - £125.00

Throws are indulgent yet comforting and I use them all for the time. We have mohair - so luxurious and the colours are absolutely breathtaking; lovely tasselled wool in original mid-century designs from Portugal and finally............fabulous fur!

Shop Now - Luxury Faux Fur Throw - £450.00

Not real fur obviously, but in terms of quality I would challenge anyone to tell the difference. I am being a little bit naughty here as these pieces are currently on route to us and will not arrive until the end of the week, but will be here in plenty of time for the big day. I have chosen 'Emerald Seal' - an electric flash of sensual, silky glamour that looks like something from the golden age of Hollywood. 'Husky' - a cream/grey confection that really needs to be thrown across the end of the bed and sprawled upon whilst one is fed strawberries and Champagne (it is very important to have aspirations!). 'Baby Leo' I would describe as a leopard-fur design and finally 'Silver Fox,' which has a longer, tuftier pile . Each is backed with a cashmere lining and screams luxury. Due to the price, I have only indulged in one of each but they will look absolutely fantastic in our Christmas window and bring 4 very lucky people a great deal of pleasure on the 25th! Please Santa let one of them be me!

Shop Now - Benamôr - Moisturising Hand Cream - £8.00

I know that we have not been touching each other quite as much as we did before, however when caressing and handshakes are once again socially acceptable one wants to ensure a silky palm. Benamôr Hand Creams are the best in the business for soft skin on the move. The tiny tubes will fit into coat pocket, handbag or the map pocket of the car-door, which means that they are always there when needed. The packaging is from the 1930's - very chic - and there are lovely scents, like 'rose'. Their hand creams are the stuff of legend; one application and the skin feels kitten-soft even in these cold temperatures and best of all they are not greasy - the cream will soak into the epidermis in a matter of seconds! You only need a tiny squeeze so they last for ages.

Shop Now - 60's Inspired Hinged Candelabra - £65.00

Our hobnail jugs are not only a feast for the eyes, but are also incredibly tactile - I know this because I have watched literally thousands of people walk past our display and 9 out of 10 reach out! I have been collecting hobnail glass for decades and, while the design started life as inexpensive 'depression glass' in the US, ours is a luxury realisation, conjured by the glass-wizards of Bohemia. Tall jugs, rounded jugs and bowls, all look and feel spectacular and literally glow in both sunlight and electric light as the little bumps create a thousand facets!

Shop Now - Woven Leather Bag - Tote - £140.00

Shop Now - Woven Leather Bag - Bucket - £140.00

And now for a little high-fashion! A lovely, former member of the Roullier White team is a bag designer and came to me recently with her new collection of woven leather accessories. They are made near Madras by women using the traditional skills of the local area and this project supports them and their families, ensuring that they have a decent working environment and are paid appropriately for their incredible abilities. I fell in love instantly, as these pieces are gorgeous, über-stylish and bang on-trend for the season (I noticed similar on Net-A-Porter with a considerably higher price-tag!). We have two styles; a small, drawstring 'bucket bag' and a medium tote in red, navy, black or cognac braided leather.

Shop Now - Men's Cashmere Socks - £45.00

Shop Now - Women's Cashmere Socks - £30.00

Cashmere socks are my favourite present, simply because they work for both men and women of any age. One can never have too many pairs as I learned this week when temperatures took a tumble and my feet turned to ice under my desk! A pair of cashmere socks is a great gift for those working from home, for people that are older and perhaps a little more sedentary, for difficult to buy for Dads, tricky Grandpas or simply for those that appreciate the finer things! They are also a treat - although who can put a price on cosy toes? And finally, for vegans and those with a passion for saving the planet (so all of us basically!), bamboo scarves and socks are the way to go. Bamboo is the softest yarn, and doesn't need water or pesticides, plus it grows so quickly that it can regenerate in a matter of months. A percentage of profits from this collections goes towards saving the Giant Panda - hence the tiny Panda logo!

Shop Now - Bamboo Scarf - £34.00

Next Wednesday evening (Dec 1st), the Painter/Photographer (and all-round artistic polymath) Olivier Tafforin will be launching a beautiful, 224 page, hardback, A4 retrospective, coffee table book of his striking photography entitled; 'Faces, Times, Places' at Roullier White. From elegant actresses in East Dulwich to characterful jazz musicians in Peckham, and from political statement signs in Margate to the Covid memorial wall on the Southbank, the book displays beautifully heartfelt and atmospheric tableaux from all over England and his native France. The book includes this portrait of yours truly - I love to think that I look like this, but the reality is that it is more a testament to Olivier's talent! If you live within striking distance of the store and would like to see more - and believe me it is well worth it - then please drop me an email (info@roullierwhite.com) and I will send you an invitation. We are controlling the numbers to ensure that the event is safe and we are requesting that guests do take a lateral flow before attending - it's simply good manners! Right, I must dash as my dear friend Emma is driving over from Winchester to inspect the cottage, so I need to clean and make it look fresh and charming! We are having luncheon at the Black Horse as they are dog friendly and she is bringing the lovely Holly-Honey-Coco (v. naughty jack russell - but is there any other kind?) with her. Have a smashing w/e ( Happy Thanksgiving to our American readers!) and don't forget to start writing those Christmas lists - it's fun! All my best, Michael x